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The Nailbiters... on three previous occasions the Premier League title has been decided on the final day
Last updated at 20:26pm on 11.05.08Manchester United go into the final day of the season leading Chelsea on goal difference. On three previous occasions, the Premier League has been decided on the last day and United have been at the heart of the drama every time. Sportsmail invited some of the players involved to recall their nailbiting memories…
1994-1995: BLACKBURN v MAN UTD
Kenny Dalglish's Blackburn led Manchester United by two points as they headed to Anfield on the final day, meaning Sir Alex Ferguson's side needed to win at West Ham. Alan Shearer gave Blackburn the lead but John Barnes equalised and Jamie Redknapp's late free kick won it for Liverpool. Fortunately for Rovers, United could only draw 1-1 at Upton Park — Ludek Miklosko denying Andy Cole with several great saves.
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Tim Sherwood
Tim Sherwood (Blackburn): Anyone who tells you they were only focused on their game is kidding you. I kept asking the Liverpool fans what the score was and they were saying 'it's 2-0 to West Ham' and I'd go: 'Really?' Then they'd say 'No, only messing, it's 1-1!' The relief when we won was incredible. We sent Ludo Miklosko a crate of champagne — although it was only Moet!
Steve Bruce (Manchester United): Alex was the same as ever in the build-up, just gave us that look and said: 'Right, get out there and win it.' The more we tried to get a goal, the harder it became. We missed chance after chance, and I think it was written in the stars we were going to miss out that season.
1995-1996: NEWCASTLE v MAN UTD
Following Newcastle's collapse during the second half of the season, Kevin Keegan needed United to lose at Middlesbrough, and his side to beat Tottenham at St James' Park. United cruised to a 3-0 win with goals from David May, Andy Cole and Ryan Giggs, while Newcastle could only draw 1-1.
Peter Beardsley (Newcastle):We knew we had to beat Spurs first of all, but we were relying on Middlesbrough. We had to think that we could win it. We were on the brink of history. We had overachieved but we'd blown it at the same time. We weren't getting messages during the match. We just knew. The place would have gone bananas if the result had gone right at Boro.
Gary Pallister (Manchester United): Before we went out, Brian McClair said to David May that he would score. And we were all saying he could have told us 20 minutes before because he was 66-1! We started with a lot of nerves and Boro could have gone ahead but then Maysy scored with a header. We were asking the Newcastle result at half time but we knew if we did our thing then the title was ours. We played with more confidence in the second half and ran out comfortable winners.
1998-1999: MAN UTD v ARSENAL
The last time the title race went to final day United led Arsenal by one point with one game left. A Kanu goal gave Arsenal victory against Aston Villa at Highbury but Ferguson's side came from a goal down against Tottenham at Old Trafford to clinch the title with goals from David Beckham and Andy Cole.
David May (Manchester United): At this stage, physical ability doesn't come into it — it's all about mentality and keeping your nerve. The problem was Spurs went 1-0 up through Les Ferdinand and we were thinking 'this isn't in the plan'. But their dangerman David Ginola went off and Becks brought us level. It was funny because the Spurs fans didn't want Arsenal to win the league so they were cheering too. Once Coley scored we knew it was ours.
Nigel Winterburn (Arsenal): The title should have been ours. We'd thrown points away and lost the Cup semi to United too. We'd lost a tough game away at Leeds in midweek and I'd broken my nose and cheekbone so I missed the last game. But it's a horrible feeling to lose on the last day — you just feel helpless. We didn't want Villa players commiserating us because it's so patronising — we knew because we'd done it to Liverpool 10 years earlier.
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